by nite0wl » 4 May 2017 16:23
For locks with some weathering I prefer to use Houdini which is a cleaner and lubricant specifically made for locks. In cases where the rust and dirt has built up significantly I will soak them in a bowl of WD40 or brake cleaner for at least a few hours, then rinse them in isopropyl alcohol (WD40 is a water displacer which can interfere with proper lubrication) until any trace of the solvent is gone, finally give them a quick rinse in soapy water to remove the alcohol and let it dry somewhere warm for at least a day or two before applying a lubricant. For maintenance I prefer PTFE lubricants or Break Free CLP.
